VolVo 850 - Opinions?

[Citizen_Insane]

I'm starting to reconsider the practicality of owning a CRX since I do not plan on living in the mid west after graduation. I wouldn't be able to fit much of anything in the CRX and well...I'm a pack rat, I don't want to get rid of a lot of this stuff when I move.

Recently I drove my friend's 850 turbo sedan and although it was an automatic, I liked it a lot. The power delivery was very smooth, it had a lot of torque, and the luxury features were a nice bonus. I was driving on the interstate so I didn't get a good feel for the handling, anyone want to comment?

Anyway, putting 2 and 2 together, I'm starting to think about getting an 850 turbo wagon, a T-5R or R version if I can find one. (There's one on the Minneapolis craigslist right now but it's an auto

) I've heard that they're somewhat unreliable and really expensive to fix. Opinions?

 

[MadMaXXX]

I dont know how much this will help you but my friend used to have a turbo s80

was a very nice car until the problems started. Then it was huge repair bills and no solutions.

Lots of weird things started happening at certain throttle: noises, loss of power, etc.

he ended up trading it in towards the purchase of a new car

I do see a lot of older volvos running around, so perhaps they had somewhat beter reliability.

 

[INJEN78]

yes they do have alot of problems and are wayyy expensive...but i know that the older volvo 240 dl you can drop a 5.0 right in it and have a pretty quick volvo

 

[killercannible]

850's are pretty cool, the engines and trannies were designed with the help of porsche. The only problem is that 5 speeds are hard to find and they did not offer 850 turbo's in a 5 speed at all. Not untill the s70's could you get a 5 speed turbo.

 

[jeffie7]

S60R

done.

 

[killercannible]

He's gonna go from a crx to an s60r. Bit of a price gap there, don't think he could really make the leap.

 

[ScrapinSi]

S60r is sexy as hell... Coworker had one...

my dad is actually selling his C70 coupe right now... $10k... 97k miles on it..

Volvos will run forever if properly maintained... They can really take a beating...

 

[ChrisSRT]

I've got a '96 850 turbo for my DD. Its fairly quick and comfortable, plenty of room. It usally gets mid 20mpg on my commute (50 miles of highspeed 2 lane country roads and some in town) and got 31mpg on a recent trip to visit family with an average speed of 71mph. VolvoSpeed.com and Swedespeed.com have alot of good info.

 

[jeffie7]

He's gonna go from a crx to an s60r. Bit of a price gap there, don't think he could really make the leap.

I didn't say he should get it, but if I had to choose a Volvo it would be that or the new small ones they just came out with "think 1 series"
outside of that I'd rather just buy another civic then to get an older Volvo

 

[Drake]

My brother is actually selling his 850. Leather, heated seats all that jazz. Pretty nice car actually. There are a few things you can do to make it get up and go but if you are looking for a nice daily driver that is comfortable and still has a lot of options for suspension work etc. The 850 is not a bad choice.

 

[Citizen_Insane]

Yeah, I've looked, and the one and only turbo wagon available in manual was the 1998 v70 T-5. Unfortunately there are NONE for sale in the US right now. I've searched every city's craigslist, most of the major auto selling websites and nothing. To afford the car I'm going to have to sell the 1999 Subaru Legacy that I'm driving right now, but if I can sell that and the CRX I'm looking at ~$8000.

The other option is to pick up this sick looking black T-5R Wagon that's around and do a 5-spd swap. It's not too hard, it's just complicated as hell, way more so than on an OBD0 b-series. I duno, if I can't find that elusive v70 I might just end up with a 3-series BMW, 325's and 328's from the late 90's are selling for about 6 grand. Drop $1000 on a reprogrammed computer, exhaust and intake and I could be making a decent 220 @ the flywheel...which is still less than the Volvo, but also RWD and without the hassle of the tranny swap.

 

[BigJ]

s60r. 'nuff said.

super nice. awd and a shit ton of power.

 

[NissanNiNjA2nd]

Volvo.... you will be safe it you are ever in an accident with it, but fucking forget about it actually working.

 

[Citizen_Insane]

s60r. 'nuff said.

super nice. awd and a shit ton of power.

When did I say I was rich? There is no way I can afford that, and I'm looking for a wagon anyway. If I get a sedan it'll be a 3-series BMW.

 

[EGProject]

Just don't buy an S40 with the 1.9L turbo. I had a friend at school who has dropped well over 4k into it and it still has major problems. Newer Volvos are usually good until the first problem arises, then they seem to domino effect. This kid went from a malfunctioning cam position sensor all the way to a new transmission control unit, tranny flush, axles, a radiator and finally a headgasket.

 

[Citizen_Insane]

Yeah, I've moved on to looking at 2.3L Saabs...Anyone know if they're reliable at all? I might just have to say fuck it and just buy a 3-series like everyone else.

 

[reikoshea]

my mom and dad had volvos most of my childhood.

240, 760, 850, 940, S80.

The above comment about the 5.0 is definitely true. Working on the 240 after the engine blew was one of the only times i can remember my father and I being civil before my parents got divorced.

 

[NissanNiNjA2nd]

Yeah, I've moved on to looking at 2.3L Saabs...Anyone know if they're reliable at all? I might just have to say fuck it and just buy a 3-series like everyone else.

the only turbo cars are the best saabs ever made... any saab that has a v6, non turbo, or an auto stay the HELL away from.

 

[EGProject]

Saabs are at best - an aquired taste. My roomate had, HAD a 96 900SE Turbo. Worst driving car I've ever ridden in. Tons of comfort options, but drivability was close to a riding mower. The motor was peaky, the shifter had no gates at all, the body wasn't tight and the steering lacked any feedback. He had the car 8 months and traded into a 2003 A4 2.0T.

 

[blackice90HB]

saabs are volvo lemons. Fuck them As far as Volvo's I swaer by them. 850's aint hard to work on, I would def. recommend. 740 wagon is the best volvo evar, BTW. I had a 89 and miss it dearly.